“These grants will directly benefit the CLG communities and help identify and preserve some of Colorado’s most historic resources, commercial districts, and neighborhoods,” Mark Rodman, Director of Preservation Programs and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer at History Colorado said. “Every municipality and county in the state should consider joining the CLG program and securing the opportunities it provides.”

“The Town of Buena Vista is honored and delighted to be awarded its first CLG Grant,” Emily Katsimpalis, Assistant to the Town Administrator said. “The grant will allow Buena Vista to conduct intensive surveys on 30 historic commercial buildings downtown. Information acquired from this survey can be tapped for many purposes and will be useful to a variety of stakeholders, including preservationists, developers, business owners, residents, the local government, and tourists.”

A CLG is a county or municipality that carries out local preservation efforts with training and guidance from the SHPO and the National Park Service. These grants are awarded based on public benefit, urgency, and focus on historic preservation.

The fiscal year 2017 CLG grants are for: 

• Boulder County — research to develop a historic context for Boulder County’s historic A-frame homes to educate owners and the public about this form’s significance to local history
• Breckenridge — survey of 35 properties located within the Breckenridge Historic District to benefit heritage tourism
• Brighton — survey of the Brighton Subdivision
• Buena Vista — survey of 30 properties in the downtown commercial core to identify resources eligible for historic designation
• Colorado Springs — development of a new historic preservation plan
• Fort Lupton — survey of 20 early 19^th century residences
• Starkville — survey of historic resources and State and National Register of Historic Places nominations
• Walsenburg — development of a comprehensive preservation plan

Each year, SHPOs are required to give out 10% of their Federal Historic Preservation Fund dollars to local governments through the CLG program. The grants in Colorado are augmented with an additional $50,000 from the State Historical Fund to help alleviate cash-match requirements.

CLGs can apply for grants each fiscal year. The SHPO at History Colorado solicits, reviews, awards, and manages these grants by following National Park Service guidelines.